Comedy fundraiser benefits Brooklyn Recovery Fund

Comedy fundraiser benefits Brooklyn Recovery Fund

Caroline Rhea

By Raanan Geberer

Brooklyn Daily Eagle

In response to the devastation of Hurricane Sandy, comedians Caroline Rhea and Sherri Shepherd headlined a comedy show on the stage of Stand Up NY last weekend for a benefit, “Stand Up to Sandy,” that raised than $5,000 for the Brooklyn Recovery Fund.

“The devastating effects of Hurricane Sandy in Brooklyn are no laughing matter, but Stand Up NY has found a way to turn the gift of laughter into the gift of charity for so many of our residents,” said Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz.

The event featured live performances from comedian and actress Caroline Rhea (known for her role as Hilda Spellman on “Sabrina, The Teenage Witch), “The View” co-host Sherri Shepherd, Emmy-winning comic Judy Gold, and stand-up comedians Modi and Mark Normand.

All six comics donated their pay for the night to, as did the entire staff of Stand Up NY.

The Brooklyn Community Fund, the beneficiary of the event, is a locally focused charitable fund administered by the Brooklyn Community Foundation to provide immediate relief to individuals, families and organizations impacted by Hurricane Sandy and to support ongoing efforts to rebuild Brooklyn.

The event was organized in collaboration with Upper West Side comedy landmark Stand Up NY and local sponsors Heddings Property Group, Van West Media and Consorte Marketing. “We are so fortunate on the Upper West Side to have survived Sandy unscathed when the lives of our friends and neighbors in other regions and boroughs will never be the same,” said Dani Zoldan, co-owner of Stand Up NY.

In addition, The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce is calling on its network of thousands of local businesses to contribute to the Fund, and has created a resource guide to business recovery at http://www.ibrooklyn.com/sandy.